Presenting open-source/open-data to uninitiated people is always difficult, since their experiences typically lead them to associate “free” with “poor quality” (or even “stolen”). Thankfully we have a large, real-world implementation of business success in this area: the Linux kernel and related technologies. Once people hear that mega corporations (IBM, Intel, Google, even MSFT) are contributing code to open-source projects without hope for profit by means of intellectual property laws, they can start to see how/why other groups (like content owners of biblical studies resources) might choose to do the same. I have had a bit more success when presenting the open-source paradigm. Who knows, perhaps GBS, Zondervan, et al will also someday be convinced that open data is the way to go.

My website is trying to do just this. I have all the re:greek-esque data (GNT and LXX parsed), and I am parsing the Hebrew and Latin myself. All data is open source and stored semantically. ‘Wish I had the time or money to roll with the big boys!